Leader Johnson, sponsor of Senate Bill 1086, told the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee the bill “would, require the Department of Safety to develop and maintain a publicly available list of out of state licenses that are, invalid or rather, a list of states that issue driver's licenses to people who are in the country illegally. And, and and also stipulate that those licenses are not valid, to for driving privileges in the state of Tennessee.”

Ashley Warbington, who identified herself as “a mother and a concerned citizen,” testified in opposition. Warbington warned the measure could reduce tax revenue, disrupt interstate commerce and tourism, and conflict with constitutional obligations. She said the Department of Homeland Security “has warned against assuming that people in possession of these limited licenses are always undocumented” and added, “No driver looks undocumented unless you decide someone's race, last name, or preferred language makes them undocumented.”

During questioning, Senator Taylor asked Warbington to define “undocumented.” Warbington answered, “It means someone here that doesn't have documentation,” and later during the exchange she said, “No person is illegal.” The record shows a back‑and‑forth in which other senators debated the proper terminology and whether the bill would be federally permissible.

Senator Campbell asked whether similar laws exist in other states and whether Tennessee would be ignoring other states’ licenses. Leader Johnson said she could not confirm the presence of identical laws elsewhere but argued the bill targets licenses “exclusively for those who are in the country illegally” and that the Department of Safety would publish and maintain the list and notify law enforcement of distinctive licenses.

Committee members asked about penalties and fiscal impact. The sponsor said violations would be a class B misdemeanor and that “the fiscal note is not significant.” Committee discussion also acknowledged officer discretion in enforcement and that citations rather than incarceration would be possible depending on circumstances.

The committee voted to advance SB 1086. Clerk roll call recorded seven votes in favor and two opposed (Senators Briggs and Campbell); Senators Bailey, Hatcher, Pote, Powers, Seale, Taylor and Chairlady Massey were recorded as voting “aye.” The bill passed the Transportation and Safety Committee by a 7‑2 vote.

The transcript records public testimony and committee debate; it does not specify subsequent committee referral in clear terms.